CMT Ch22

“Even without talking about marriage, there were many things I could have asked for. I could have requested that you ask the Chairman to reconsider the supply contract with Daeryung Trading, or if that was difficult, to at least make a connection with the construction division. I could have asked for introductions to reliable businesses or investors, and if all else failed, I could have even requested money from my personal funds.”

“…Those things are beyond what I can take responsibility for.”

He was speaking as if it were praise, but for Seoyoon, it wasn’t a condition he had offered with particular consideration for Kwon Kijung’s position or well-being.

Seoyoon had not gotten involved in family business. Unlike his older brother who had been preparing to inherit the family business by following their father around since his school days, Seoyoon had focused on drawing or studying from a young age.

It was his father’s policy. While his brother had only stubborn perseverance to push through difficulties, lacking any outstanding talents and having a fiery temper that made it impossible for him to work under others, Seoyoon was intelligent and naturally gifted, so there was no need for him to do the harsh work of running a factory. His father said that he would eventually become a member of a family incomparably better than their own, so he should just focus on studying whatever he wanted without worry.

For someone like him to carelessly ask for reconsideration of contracts between companies or introductions to investors would be impossible to manage if things went wrong. Seoyoon was not that bold of a person. He simply knew his place and limits, and sought the most effective alternative within what he could do.

“Whatever the reason, the result is that I can spend time with Han Seoyoon-ssi without any burden. So I’m cooperating in my own way to pay an appropriate price. I was taught from a young age that a deal should be treated like a deal.”

The head that had unnecessarily heated up as if they were really discussing romance cooled instantly. A deal is a deal. It meant that all the kindness he showed was not free.

He recalled the first night when he lay down and received a few spanks on his bottom. At the time he thought it was painful, but looking back, was it really painful enough to deserve such compensation?

There was no one to give an answer or set a standard, but Seoyoon’s reason coldly judged ‘no’. If the kindness in return felt excessive compared to the pain he felt, then the price he was paying was more like an advance payment.

Seoyoon could still endure much more. He could bear it. He wanted to do his best to extend the validity period of the promise, become a more useful person, and contribute during this difficult time that the whole family was sharing the burden of.

The navigation was indicating that they were approaching their destination. As Kijung turned into the building’s driveway, he added:

“When I first heard your conditions, I thought you were a smart person. I like intelligent people.”

“I didn’t mean it in the way you’re imagining.”

“I like even more those who are humble because they don’t realize how smart they are.”

Shortly after, the car stopped. While the doorman who had come out to greet them approached, Kijung unfastened his seatbelt and instructed:

“Remember. When we get out of the car, smile like you did earlier.”

“Yes.”

Seoyoon smiled as he answered. Kijung looked with satisfaction at the face that had become so bright that one could never guess the calculating conversation that had just passed between them, and opened the driver’s side door.

Even among the dazzling shops of the bustling area that had forgotten night, the newly built sophisticated building stood out like the protagonist of the street, shining with a golden light. From the moment they entered the restaurant after taking the elevator up, Seoyoon could feel it. That far more people than he had expected were paying attention to the two of them.

Perhaps due to his young age, outstanding appearance, and unique alpha trait, Kwon Kijung was more widely recognized than other chaebol family members. It wasn’t difficult to come across internet videos covering Kijung’s career, education, private life, or scandals.

It meant that he was a figure with high public attention, not just in political and business circles. He had to appear in front of people as the rumored partner of such a person. Kijung leaned in slightly to the tense Seoyoon and whispered:

“Straighten your shoulders. These are guests carefully selected by the owner, so you don’t need to be too conscious of them.”

“Yes.”

“If you’re still anxious, just look at my face. It’ll make us look close too, killing two birds with one stone.”

At that joke, even Seoyoon forgot his nervousness and genuinely smiled a little. Kijung also smiled and gently wrapped his arm around Seoyoon’s shoulders. It was similar to how he had acted in front of Seoyoon’s adoptive parents when he visited Seoyoon’s home.

People’s feelings are relative. Until just a moment ago, this man had humiliated him in a third-party space, but now it was far more comfortable to look at Kijung’s face as he suggested than to face the crude curiosity of strangers. At least he was an extremely handsome person, so there was no discomfort in looking at him no matter how long.

“Can you not drink wine at all?”

“A glass or two is fine.”

“I thought you said you couldn’t drink well.”

“The atmosphere was a bit stiff then.”

The two chatted like people enjoying a normal date as they crossed the interior. Seoyoon felt some of the patrons glancing at them, but he tried not to be conscious of it.

The restaurant had prepared a table by the window overlooking the night view for the two. Elegant and quick-moving servers guided them. The twinkling lights seen through the glass window were beautiful enough to momentarily set aside words like deal, acting, and promise.

“It’s troublesome if you keep looking out the window with your lover in front of you.”

Kijung turned Seoyoon’s gaze, which had been unconsciously captivated by the night view. Seoyoon picked up his water glass in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry. The night view was just so pretty.”

“Next time we can go on a date wearing the newly tailored clothes. They’ll be ready soon.”

“The clothes… thank you so much. Even the clothes you sent last time must have been quite expensive.”

“That’s nothing. Even though your family’s fortunes have declined a bit, you’re still the second son of Daeryung Trading, aren’t you? You must have had a few similar suits.”

“No, that’s not true. As you know, I only studied art and didn’t particularly participate in family affairs. I never needed such clothes, so I never had any tailored.”

His father and brother were businessmen, and his mother had been attending couple gatherings and supporting his father’s work from long ago, so they needed proper clothes and accessories. But for him, who only drew pictures during his school days and studied in college, these were all unnecessary items. He never wanted them nor was he ever advised to have them.

In fact, he wondered how many occasions there would be to wear the clothes that had just been fitted today. But this time, the meaning lay in the fact that Kwon Kijung wanted it, so the practicality of the items was not for him to question.

As they were talking, the aperitif arrived. The golden champagne with delicate bubbles rising reflected the night view outside. Kijung silently raised his long glass, and Seoyoon responded to his gesture, briefly clinking their glasses together.

“I understand you prefer comfortable styles, but for a while, you’ll need to get used to being a bit uncomfortable.”

“Not at all. All the clothes you sent are too comfortable if anything. I need clothes to be a bit uncomfortable so I don’t get sleepy sitting in the office.”

“Surely the director won’t scold you that much. Use your position as my lover as much as you want.”

At those words, rather than being pleased, Seoyoon’s expression became complicated. Kijung put down his glass and asked:

“Is there a problem?”

“No. It’s just… I’m glad our relationship is becoming known, but I’m worried about what my team members might think if they find out.”

“I had absolutely no influence on your hiring.”

“I know that. The director said so too. But I don’t think it will look that way to others.”

“It will take at least a few more months before your team members find out about us, so it’s premature to worry.”

Though he said it with a smile, there was a subtle barb to it. As if to say, if you have time to worry about such trivial things, worry about whether my interest will remain with Han Seoyoon for the next few months.

Seoyoon might be reading too much into every word Kwon Kijung said, but for him, it was best to be overly cautious. Realistically thinking, as he pointed out, there’s a high possibility this relationship will end before his team members find out about them. Seoyoon quickly nodded with a smiling face.

“You’re right, Director.”

“There’s one more gift left.”

As if trying to change the subject, Kijung took out a small box from his inside pocket. The palm-sized box was wrapped in dark velvet.

If they were really in a relationship premised on marriage, it would have been a scene to raise expectations, but Seoyoon only gave a puzzled look. Kijung briefly gestured with his eyes.

“Open it.”

Seoyoon picked it up without hesitation, while earnestly acting out the expression of someone excited to receive a meaningful gift from their beloved.

Click, with the feeling of a small hinge catching, the box opened. Seoyoon took a slight breath when he saw what was inside.

“…Is this a necklace?”

The first thing that caught his eye was the sparkling pendant that seemed to be made of cut diamonds, and then the overall appearance came into view. The pendant was attached to a thin black leather strap, and the leather strap was neatly arranged in the box in the form of a short belt.

It was too short to wear around the waist, and too long to be a bracelet. When Seoyoon carefully asked if it was a necklace, Kijung took a sip of the aperitif and answered:

“I mentioned it last time. That a leather necklace would suit Han Seoyoon.”

“…”

“I had it made based on the measurements taken at the tailor shop. I’d like you to wear it without fail when you come to meet me from now on. It doesn’t matter if I keep it, but… since it’s a gift for you.”

Perhaps conscious of potential listeners, he cleverly changed his words. Last time, he had clearly said he would put a leather ‘dog collar’ on Seoyoon’s neck.

Once again, the boundary between the ordinary and the extraordinary began to crumble and surge confusingly. His heart, which had been calm before opening the box, started beating late, and his mouth went dry. Seoyoon also took a sip of champagne to regain his composure.

“Thank you, Director.”

The first thing to do was to express gratitude for the unexpected gift. Then…

“May I put it on now?”

Seoyoon asked Kijung with a broad smile. It was a natural reaction for someone who had received a gift from their beloved. Kijung also nodded with a smiling face and stood up.

“Wait. I’ll put it on for you.”

As Kijung stood up, people’s gazes turned blatantly towards the two of them. Along with the awareness of being the focus of attention, habitual tension arose as Kwon Kijung stood behind him. From behind Seoyoon, Kijung whispered softly so that only their ears could hear:

“Relax your shoulders.”

Seoyoon exhaled slowly through his nose, releasing the tension in his body that had unconsciously stiffened. Then he could clearly feel Kijung’s fingers tickling the back of his neck, slowly moving back and forth.

He had said he wanted to put a dog collar on Seoyoon. While hearing those words, Seoyoon seemed to have unconsciously imagined the form of the collar he wanted to put on him. A thick, rugged leather with round metal studs, and a ring attached for a leash.

He had never harbored a desire to wear such a thing around his neck. It was just the form that naturally came to mind at the words ‘dog collar’. The thin, soft leather choker adorned with a diamond pendant seemed too luxurious to be called a dog collar, but then again, it seemed like even if Kwon Kijung were to actually keep a dog, he would put on a collar at least this extravagant.